Charles Joly
World Champion Bartender
Crafthouse by Fortessa
Chicago, IL
Meet Charles Joly
Charles Joly is a lifelong food and beverage professional who was crowned the Global Bartending Champion in the 2014 World Class competition, becoming the first American to hold the title. He previously designed some of the most progressive cocktail programs in the country, but is best known for his simple, seasonal and nuanced approach to cocktails. Charles continues to travel the world working with bartenders, honing his craft and teaching about spirits and cocktails. With his first barware collection, Crafthouse by Fortessa, he hopes to elevate home mixology to the level of professional-made craft cocktails.
Q & A with Charles Joly
Q: What’s the biggest mistake that home bar enthusiasts make?
A: Tasting a complex cocktail, then going home and trying to make it. Learn the basics—three-ingredient drinks have become timeless classics for a reason—then taste and adjust accordingly. And remember that taste is extraordinarily personal.
